Congress aims to prevent year-end FAA dispute as aviation safety concerns hinder agreement

Lawmakers Expected to Pass Temporary Extension for FAA Authorization

Lawmakers in the House and Senate are expected to kick the can down the road and pass a temporary⁣ extension ⁢to the Federal Aviation Administration’s authorization until March 8, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term deal.

Extension Introduced to Allow Time for Negotiations

Rep. Sam​ Graves (R-MO), the chairman‌ of the House ‌Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and ranking member Rep. ⁣Rick ​Larsen (D-WA) recently introduced the extension that‌ would allow the⁣ Senate to work through its concerns⁢ with the bill while also giving both​ chambers enough time to hash out the differences between‌ the legislation.

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Months ago, lawmakers decoupled the FAA portion from government funding to keep aviation safety⁤ separate in case negotiations went south⁣ over a spending deal. ​Lawmakers averted a government shutdown in⁢ mid-November with⁣ a stopgap measure that extended the funding for the agency until Jan. 19.

However,⁣ that task appeared to be an ⁤uphill climb after the Senate bill continued to be held up over a dispute over whether to change pilot training requirements and⁢ whether to⁤ allow pilots in training to count flight simulator ​training‌ toward their required 1,500 hours of in-flight experience to become a certified pilot.

Weeks ago, Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the ‍No. 2 ‍Republican in the Senate, said talks among the committee members had been⁤ productive and that‍ they ⁢were attempting to deal ⁣with the ​pilot ⁢shortage problem. ⁣However, sources involved in discussions told the Washington Examiner a deal has yet⁢ to be reached on this front.

The House passed its ​version ⁤of the bill 351-69 on July 20. ⁤Its version would keep standards for pilot training⁢ the same ‌after blocking ⁤a proposed change ⁣floated⁤ by Graves. However, the legislation raised the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67, which is intended ⁣to expand the pilot workforce. The measure faces opponents in‌ both parties and the Biden administration who ‍argue the change could⁢ affect safety and cause headaches because pilots older than 65 are unable to fly internationally.

In addition to the pilot retirement age policy, lawmakers must resolve a dispute ⁣about expanding the perimeter rule for the​ Ronald Reagan Washington​ National Airport. A group of lawmakers is attempting to increase the‍ number of long-distance flights at the⁢ airport, which has limits on the number of​ flights‌ that travel more than 1,250 miles away.

Both ⁢Reagan and Dulles International Airport are owned by the federal government, which means Congress has the power to ⁤decide how they operate. However, lawmakers from the Washington area are opposed to an expansion and ⁤continue ⁣to argue‌ the airport is already​ strained by traffic and noise ‍disruption, pointing to an internal FAA memo that found 20 more daily round-trip operations would ‍increase delays by 25.9% and an increase of 25 daily round-trip operations would increase delays ⁢by⁤ 33.2%⁢ at Reagan.

Even with a short-term extension, industry leaders are concerned the dysfunction could create a safety risk as more than 130 million people are expected to travel for the holidays this year, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. The ⁣surge in travel comes ​as an independent U.S. ​aviation review team⁢ called ​for “urgent action” ⁢to prevent plane crashes last month.

The FAA released a 52-page report citing concerns that include technology problems, staff shortages, outdated systems, and funding difficulties. Since the beginning of the year, the National Transportation Safety ‍Board opened seven ⁣investigations into near-collisions on tarmacs ⁢across the country.

“The most important‌ action Congress can take for the safety of the NAS [national airspace system] would be to pass a long-term, comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill before the end of the year,” National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Rich Santa ⁤said at a Senate hearing in November. ​“Continuing to follow the same ‍flawed⁤ controller ⁤staffing model utilized by the‌ FAA⁤ after more than a decade of missed hiring goals and missed⁤ staffing projections will continue this downward trend. A new approach⁣ is needed.”

Between 2007 and 2012, ⁢there were 23 short-term extensions of the FAA’s authorization, including a two-week lapse in 2011. In 2013, the FAA shut down for 16 days due to‌ the budget sequestration, which resulted in furloughs of FAA staff members, including​ technicians and air traffic controllers. The agency was also​ caught in a partial government⁣ shutdown for 35 days in late 2018 and early 2019, in which air ‍traffic controllers worked without a paycheck ⁤for 35 ‌days but received back pay.

“With ‌so ​many challenges facing airports ‌and the ⁣entire aviation⁤ industry, we simply⁤ cannot afford to go through years of multiple short-term extensions,” said Paul Bradbury, director of the ⁣Portland International‌ Jetport, at a congressional hearing at the ‌end of last month. “Repeated short-term extensions and FAA shutdowns make it exceptionally‌ challenging for airport operators to plan and complete their capital ⁢projects. Funding ​uncertainty is particularly ⁣difficult on smaller​ airports and those with short construction​ seasons.”

Industry leaders continue to sound the ⁤alarm about the ‌impact of all these short-term extensions.

“Do we want ‌Administrator⁢ [Michael] Whitaker ‌to spend his time managing lapses in authority and appropriations or focus his time on addressing ‍the agency’s significant challenges ⁣and taking advantage of opportunities?” ‍Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the ⁤General Aviation Manufacturers Association, ⁤asked ‌at the same hearing.

“As we have seen in⁢ the past, ‍if action is not ‌taken now, ⁢it will have both near-term and​ long-term impacts and set the agency ⁢back ​substantially,” ⁤he added.

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How does ​a ⁣temporary extension ​of FAA authorization contribute to ‍uncertainty and instability in the aviation industry?

Targeting is not a viable option for the safety of the traveling public.”

Furthermore, a ⁤temporary ‍extension only‌ adds to the uncertainty and instability in the aviation industry.‌ Airlines ‌and other industry stakeholders need a ‍clear and stable regulatory framework to plan their operations and investments. A long-term FAA⁤ reauthorization ​bill would provide the stability‍ and predictability necessary for the industry to thrive.

Moreover, the FAA plays a crucial role in⁢ ensuring the safety and efficiency of air‍ travel. It oversees⁣ air traffic control, airport operations, and the certification of aircraft and​ pilots. Without a ⁤fully authorized and ​funded FAA, there could be serious consequences ⁤for the safety and security of the ⁣national ⁢airspace system.

In‍ conclusion, lawmakers ‍are expected to pass a⁣ temporary extension for FAA authorization,‍ providing more time for negotiations on a long-term deal. However, this stopgap measure ‌only prolongs the⁤ uncertainty and instability in the ​aviation industry. A long-term, comprehensive FAA⁢ reauthorization bill ​is needed to provide stability, safety, and​ efficiency to the ⁢air travel system. It is crucial that lawmakers prioritize the passage of such⁤ a bill to ensure the continued safety and success of⁢ the aviation ⁣industry.